Lord Kedaranath Blesses CK

Chandra Kiran (CK) is 50, married, with two working children. He is a spiritually oriented person. He visits temples with his family and children on weekends. He offers prayers to Lord Hanuman every morning and evening. He had darshan of Lord Vishweshwara and Lord Hanuman at Kashi.

He was interested in visiting the Jyotirlinga at Kedarnath in Rudraprayag district, State of Uttarakhand, India. The Temple is situated at an altitude of about 3583 meters (11,755 feet) above sea level in the Himalayas near the Mandakini River. So, he booked the Chardham yatra. He wanted to go by helicopter, but could not get a ticket. Hence, he joined other pilgrims.

This Temple was built by the Pandavas and later reconstructed by Shri Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century.

It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in the country.

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The pilgrims can drive to Gaurikund, then trek to the Temple. The distance is about 18 km. Gaurikund is at an altitude of 1982 m above sea level. One needs to ascend from Gaurikund to the Temple in the Himalayan Mountains. It is difficult for the average person from the plains with no experience in mountain climbing. Dolis and Horses are available to help older people and those with mobility difficulties reach the Temple.

CK preferred trekking in the Himalayas to enjoy the climate, greenery, and views of mountains and valleys, as it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The climate in the Himalayas is unpredictable, with thunderstorms and landslides. Throughout the trek, he recited 'Om Namahsivaya' and Hanuman Chalisa. About halfway through, a strong windstorm hit, and the pilgrims could not withstand its force; some fell deep into the valley and lost their lives. Army personnel recovered some of the pilgrims.

CK fell onto the tree branch, deep in the valley. No one could trace him. As he fell onto the tree branch, he had scratches on his back and was reciting 'Hanuman Chalisa'. He was terrified and lost hope in his life. He cried for help, but it went to waste, as nobody could hear him in that windstorm in that valley. The windstorm engulfed the valley.

His mind went blank; he couldn't decide on the next step. He chanted the 'Hanuman Chalisa' and 'Om Namahsivaya' as his life's end drew near. He closed his eyes and prayed to Lord Shiva and Hanuman to decide. He fell asleep.

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As people chanted 'Shambo, Shiva Shambo', 'Jai Jai Shankara', and 'Shiva Shiva Shankara', CK opened his eyes. He was surprised to find himself in the queue before Lord Kedaranath. People in the queue told him that a tall, old, muscular man living in this area had carried him on his shoulders and placed him here. No one objected to his imposing presence. They sprinkled water on him, and he opened his eyes. He realised he was none other than Lord Hanuman, who helps his devotees in times of difficulty. With folded hands, he bowed to Lord Hanuman for saving him. He prayed to Lord Shiva along with others.

 As CK was going in the queue, one of the priests dragged him into the sanctum sanctorum. He prayed in a high-pitched voice, 'Om Namah Shivaya'. Suddenly, light rays emerged from Kedaranath. Everyone in the sanctum sanctorum and in the queue closed their eyes, unable to see the heavenly blessing on CK. A beam of light entered CK's kutastha, and his face and body shone with divine energy. When they opened their eyes, CK was singing and dancing in praise of Lord Kedaranath, his face and body bathed in divine lustre. Priests and pilgrims were surprised. He came out dancing in praise of Lord Kedaranath. He heard Aakasha Vani: "Oh, CK, I am happy with your prayers and blessed you with divine powers, which you can use  to help others."  CK fell unconscious, and the pilgrims carried him to the Samadhi of Sri Sri Adi Shankaracharya.

 He opened his eyes in front of Sri Sri Adi Shankara. All these events seemed like a dream to him. Ever since the rays of light fell on him, he had been in the Shiva loka.

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All the pilgrims bowed to him as his body radiated circles of divine light. He blessed them. He thought of his home, and he flew with his astral body, and the next moment, he was in his house. 

At home, his wife and children saw his astral body land with a divine lustre. They believed he had become a Sadhu with superpowers. They bowed before him and set aside a separate room for his pooja. After hearing about him, people began pouring into his house to receive his blessings and seek solutions to their problems.

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The village was near a forest. The villagers cultivate paddy, maize, and other crops. There was an El Niño effect during that season. Day and night temperatures rose to 47 degrees centigrade. People were unable to bear the heat and the waves. Similarly, the wild animals and birds suffered. The natural water tanks went dry. The animals moved to quench their thirst. There was a natural water tank for the village. Tigers, cheetahs, elephants, and deer moved in search of water. They crossed the village fields. The elephants moved during the day, and the tigers moved at night.

People were afraid of these animals. Tigers came alone, but elephants came in groups. Due to the effects of El Niño, people slept outside their houses at night on cots under neem trees. It was a chance for tigers to kill goats, sheep, cattle, and people for food.

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 Forest officials collected footprints and set iron-mesh traps baited with goat carcasses to catch the Tiger. It moved to the surrounding villages. Villagers slept inside their houses out of fear. Some had fans, but no one had air conditioners. They were sweating.

The forest authorities set up a camp in the village, with an officer and personnel armed with guns and tranquillisers. They were vigilant for the past fortnight. The Tiger came silently, killed a goat or sheep, drank their blood, and enjoyed itself, leaving their skeletons.

Villagers and the forest officials were afraid. The villagers considered seeking help from Sadhu CK. They went and bowed before him and explained their problem. They learned that CK possessed extraordinary divine powers. Initially, CK was reluctant to use his powers against any man or animal. After a minute of prayer, he agreed to solve their problem.

CK refused to sleep inside and slept on a cot on the outskirts of the village. Villagers and forest officials observed him from a distance. That night, when everyone was asleep, the Tiger tried to attack CK. He knew the Tiger was coming. Once it jumped onto him, he caught hold of it by its neck, put his right hand on its head and caressed it. It was silent, resting on his shoulder. People around him were afraid. CK, with his finger on his lips, signalled them to keep silent. They were surprised by the Tiger's behaviour. The forest officials wanted to use the tranquilliser. CK warned them against it. He murmured in the Tiger's ears. It jumped and ran. He told the officials to go and check the trap.

The officials went and found Tiger in the trap. They were surprised. They thanked CK. The officials set it free in the forest.

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After a fortnight, a ferocious elephant herd attacked the fields. The villagers were afraid.

The villagers beat drums to intimidate them. The elephants got accustomed to the sounds. A ferocious young elephant lifted a person on their way with its trunk and killed him by throwing him to the ground. They attacked the crops.

The villagers informed the forest officials. They tried to send them away into the forest, but in vain. Then the villagers thought of Sadhu CK. They invited him. He rested on a watchtower in the field. CK asked the villagers to keep away from him.

 The elephant herd came during the daytime and moved forward across the fields, lifting a villager along the way. CK came down the watchtower, stood against them and showed his right hand to stop. On observing CK, an elderly elephant came forward, bowed to CK. Observing the elder elephant, the younger one placed the villager safely on the ground. All the elephants bowed before him. CK went near the elderly elephant, put his right hand on its head, caressed it and said, "My dear  Ranga,  this is not a place for you. You should not trouble these human beings. Let them live happily. Don't disturb their environment; it will bring trouble to you and all your kith and kin. All of you, leave for the forest. That is your best place. Our forest officials will make all arrangements for you." 

With these words from CK, the Elderly elephant looked at all the other elephants. They all agreed by raising their trunks and turning back. The older elephant bowed again before CK and led the herd into the forest.

The villagers and the forest officials were surprised by the elephants' behaviour. They were happy, thanked CK, and took his blessings. As they opened their eyes, CK disappeared. He flew back to his home.

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CK was disturbed by the behaviour of the Tiger and the elephants. They obeyed him silently. At that moment, he heard Akashavani say, "Oh, CK, people will try to use your supernatural powers for their own benefit. Human beings are polluting God-given natural environments, such as rivers and the air, and cutting down trees, reducing forest areas. They are trying to pollute the Galaxy with their spaceships and rockets. They are occupying animal and bird spaces. They are entering the seas and polluting them."

A day is not far away when I need to take action to protect living creatures. Every living creature on this Earth and in the Galaxy has a right to live and enjoy their lives. I created this world and Galaxy to make all living creatures happy.

Now that people are misusing your powers, please relinquish them. I advise you to visit the Ramanatha Swamy Temple in Rameswaram, in Tamil Nadu, another of the twelve Jyotirlinga Temples, and pray to the Lord to restore you to your normal human state.

CK went to the Ramanatha Swamy Temple, had a sea bath at 4.00 am, and had 21 well-water head baths. These 21 wells were meant for the soldiers of Sri Rama during the Rama-Ravana yudham. Though they are near each other, the water tastes different. He felt fresh and bowed to the Lord Ramanatha Swamy. All his powers were taken back.

At home, his wife and children were happy, and he resumed his routine duties.

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